Christmas Lights HELP!!!

sarahlouisejones · 01-12-2008, 16:50

Hi guys - as it is the 1st of December, i'm getting all excited about Christmas. So, i've dug out the tree, decorations etc and I am experiencing a rather strange problem with my lights.

I have multicoloured chaser lights. The controller is in the shape of a computer mouse with a sequence changer with only the one button to press. The lights are plugged in to 240 mains but refuse to work unless I have my finger constantly near to the circuit board within the 'mouse controller'. It is as if it is using me as an 'earth'???

Any ideas as to how I can get these to work?

Many thanks.

**Rob** · 01-12-2008, 17:01

If it needs part of you to complete the circuit, I'd be unplugging and putting them in the bin pronto

**Kymmy** · 01-12-2008, 17:08

Sounds like a possible dry joint on the board, with the cost of lights these days and teh fact that they can be a fire hazard I'd suggest the same as Rob, bin and buy a new set

sarahlouisejones · 01-12-2008, 17:20

Thanks Kymmy - money is a tad tight which is why if they can be fixed then for my pocket, that would be better.... although it is looking like i'm going to have to get new ones (even though the ones i've got have only been used once!).

fireman328 · 01-12-2008, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Sounds like a possible dry joint on the board, with the cost of lights these days and teh fact that they can be a fire hazard I'd suggest the same as Rob, bin and buy a new set

I agree, if you are in any doubt bin them.

01-12-2008, 20:27

I got some nice chasser leds but they are red orange and yellow. They will be coming out Friday if they are ok you can have them for postage? Think I got some low wattage normal ones too if you prefer?

Wicked_and_Crazy · 01-12-2008, 20:28

are you putting pressure on the box to make them work or just putting you finger near them?

sarahlouisejones · 01-12-2008, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

are you putting pressure on the box to make them work or just putting you finger near them?

No pressure on the box - just near to it.

---------- Post added at 21:01 ---------- Previous post was at 21:00 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by David F

I got some nice chasser leds but they are red orange and yellow. They will be coming out Friday if they are ok you can have them for postage? Think I got some low wattage normal ones too if you prefer?

might take you up on that! thanks! - please see PM

2OLD2THINK · 03-12-2008, 19:20

Being 240 volt you could of course just cut out the chaser box and wire direct to plug. No fancy flashers but if you want those 10.30pm onwards,any town near you.Just take your Taser with you

bopdude · 03-12-2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2OLD2THINK

Being 240 volt you could of course just cut out the chaser box and wire direct to plug. No fancy flashers but if you want those 10.30pm onwards,any town near you.Just take your Taser with you

I wouldn't do that, yes they plug into the mains but a pound to pinch of snot says that the 'chaser box' also contains a step down transformer, I don't see how you just being near to the box without touching it is completing the circuit, any chance you are moving the cable on the carpet / flooring ? I wouldn't chance it, money being tight or not, you don't want a fire on your hands because of a lighting effect.

2OLD2THINK · 03-12-2008, 20:44

Well spotted bopdude. I were thinking of 240 volt bulbs that I have festooned..

bopdude · 03-12-2008, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2OLD2THINK

Well spotted bopdude. I were thinking of 240 volt bulbs that I have festooned..

No problem

**Kymmy** · 03-12-2008, 23:19

If the lights are working with your hand "near" the box then your hand is disturbing a magnetic field (so it's probably running on a switch mode PSU internal in the box) in that case I'd say BIN for sure as a fault like that could always just as easily get a lot worse (switch modes run at 400v+ internally) than better..